Which of the following alternatives to punishment represents the BEST method for reducing a problem behavior?
A) Jose is reinforced for working quietly in class instead of being punished for talking in class.
B) Charlene is picked up and cuddled whenever she has a temper tantrum.
C) Shane and Jason have to stay after school because they had a fight at the start of class in the morning.
D) Because of her defiant behavior, Lana's teacher tells her that she will not be eligible to get gold stars or stickers for her homework.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Reinforcement is the most effective alternative to punishment because it actively encourages the replacement of a problem behavior with a desired behavior. In this case, Jose is being reinforced for working quietly, which may lead to him continuing to exhibit that behavior. Cuddling (B) and staying after school (C) may not necessarily address the underlying cause of the problem behavior and may not lead to long-term change. Withholding rewards (D) may not have a strong enough impact to change the behavior.

Which of the Following Alternatives to Punishment Represents the BEST